History

Douglass School has had an interesting and varied history. The land was purchased by the "School League" (a group of African American parents) for $4,000 and was deeded to the School Board. In 1941, ground was broken for the construction of Douglass High School. On completion, the doors of the first Secondary School for African American children in the history of Loudoun County were opened.

The original building consisted of four rooms. Since that time there have been two additions. In 1950, a science laboratory, home economics suite, and five classrooms were added. In 1960, a gymnasium, shop, cafeteria, and several classrooms were built.

Principals

Dates

Mr. George Liverpool

1941-1948

Mr. Ulysses Oliver

1949-1951

Mr. Stephen Sydnor

1952-1963

Mr. James Woodson

1964-1968

Mr. James McBride

1968-1969

Mr. Weldon Reeves

1971-1975

Mr. Frederick Hutchison

1976-1977

Mr. Joel Galperin

1977-1978

Mr. Wayne Griffith

1978-1979

Mr. Terrence Hill

1979-1985

Mrs. Laurraine Landolt

1985-2000

Dr. John Robinson

2000-

The building has provided service to many different populations since 1967:

It
was a school for 8th & 9th graders who would be attending Broad Run for
the 69/70 school year.

1969-1971

The
School Board Annex

Used
as administrative offices.

1971-1976

Leesburg
Middle School

It
was a school for 6th & 7th graders from Leesburg, Middleburg, and
Lucketts.

1976

Douglass
Community School

After
the middle school students moved on, it became a school with multiple
programs: an alternative high school, a special education center, and the
Douglass Community Center.

1991

Douglass
School

Housed
at Douglass during this time were Douglass Alternative School with middle and
high school programs, ESL, Early Childhood Special Education, Substance Abuse
Education, Insight, and the Douglass Community Center.

1993

Douglass
School

The
STEP classes joined the above programs.

1994

Douglass
School

Head
Start classes joined the above programs.

1996

Douglass
School

Head
Start classes are relocated.

2000

Douglass
School

The
Middle School Transitions Program and the GED Program were added.

2001

Douglass
School

The
ESL, STEP, and Early Childhood Special Education classes are relocated and
Douglass becomes the center for Secondary Alternative Programs for LCPS.